Anyone running .40 LSWC bullets in their 1911 / 2011?

[igolfat8]

Just curious if anyone is running .40 S&W LSWC bullets in their 1911 or 2011 pistols? If so, are you having any feeding issues since the round is typically so short (1.080" - 1.100" COAL)? I thought I had read a while back where the .40 cartridge is the least desirable round in the 1911 / 2011 platform.

[robertbank]

The 1911 platform in 40cal is the gun in IPSC Standard Division up here. Most use the 180 gr LSWC or the plated equivalent with no more issues than you normally get running a 1911.

Take Care

Bob

[igolfat8]

I shoot bowling pins with a Glock 35 but am considering adding a 1911/2011 platform as well. I have a Range Officer in 45 but prefer the .40 for some odd reason? Most of the guys are running 9s and a few .45s but they seem to have more mechanical issues?

[ipscjoe]

Loaded some 155's for my wife's edge for steel challenge and it gobbled a box of 500. Was the most accurate bullet I've shot.

[Sandbagger123]

i shot some 175gr swc out of my 2011 @ 1.18 and it ate it up with no issues. your oal listed seems seem short for the 40SW.

[JMike]

Perhaps I am not understanding the question here but the OAL you are quoting is way, way to short for an 2011 style pistol. This is due to the magazine size, which was originally designed for a 45acp. My STI Edge in 40SW requires The OAL to be in the range of 1.19-1.20 OAL to feed properly.

I think the factory ammo that I have bought measures out to around 1.12-1.14 OAL and will not feed reliably in my 2011.

Edited September 9, 2014 by JMike

[igolfat8]

I shoot a 145 grain Lee cast bullet and the bullet is so short it will only load to a max OAL of 1.100". Sounds like it may not be the best choice for a 2011 pistol? I just like the accuracy and extremely low coefficient of friction of SWC bullets but they can be finicky to feed properly.

[JMike]

Thanks for that clarification. Yeah, I think you might have to go to plan B. Good luck.

[RJH]

I shot the same load through my Glock, XDM, and Para. 175 TC at 1.130"

[kcobean]

Yeah, the polymer guns like shorter OALs (around spec, which is 1.135). My STI loves longer OAL...I'm loading 200 grain Bayous or Blue Bullets to 1.185 and it cycles like butter. When I tried to shoot some of my XDm ammo at 1.13, it was very "clunky". Conversely, the 1.18 OAL rounds won't even fit in my XDm mags.

If you like the 2011 platform and can't load those Lee bullets any longer, you will probably want to consider a longer bullet. And even then, if it's a standard conical wad-cutter profile, it may still give you feed problems. The round nose bullets are sweet.

Edited September 9, 2014 by kcobean

[Rob01]

Run the same 1.140" 180grn and 200grn ammo in my Glock 35 and STI Trojan and Eagle. Reliable in all three.

[blaese490]

My friend just bought a STI from a reputable smith.... He said to load to 1.20 OAL... i personally run a 1.15 in my Trojan and Edge and they all work great... Extreme 180 grn for minor and 200 BAYOU bullets for Major.

[blaese490]

^^^^^ I also run 10mm mags (Tripp research Mags) in my Single Stack which also helps. No feeding issues

[Rhodie]

I loaded some 175 Bayous to try in my SV. I loaded them short (they are minor for 3 gun). I do not remember the length off of the top of my head. But, it was to where the same amount of the bullet was visible past the case as my 200 SWC loads in my 45. The load was "short" by the typical lengths we load 40 to in the 2011 platform.

They were extremely accurate. But, I had a few failures (2 or 3) to feed in my test batch of 100. I decided to go with a 180 Bayou loaded to 1.2". Those have fed fine and are just as accurate.

I finished loading the rest of the 175 grainers that I had to use for practice. I think I had one more failure in the last 400.

[Postal Bob]

First, 145 gr bullet in .40 is really light and small. Most people use 180 or 160. And when using LSWC, the proper oal is where the front shoulder of the bullet is about 1/8" above the case mouth. This prevents the case mouth from hanging up on the feed ramp. If you can't achieve this with the 145 gr heads, go to a heavier bullet.

[lawboy]

Nothing but in a Les Baer with Wilson barrel and a Springfield/Remington custom with Les Baer barrel, both .45ACP. 207gr. LSWC home cast.

I also run home cast 180gr LRN in my .40 2011 custom with a Kart barrel. Ideal #40043. I run them at an OAL of 1.180. No problems so far.

Edited September 13, 2014 by lawboy

[freakshow10mm]

I'm experimenting with a 225gr LSWC long loaded to 1.180.

[kcobean]

I'm experimenting with a 225gr LSWC long loaded to 1.180.

225gr .40? I'd think at that weight and a 1.18 OAL you've got to be heading into compressed load territory, yes?

[freakshow10mm]

Not that I can tell.

[Bob DuBois]

Put thousands of 175 cast lead swc loaded out to 1,220 through my 2011 guns runs great. My advice would be to use the Lee U die in your first station.

I've loaded this length on both presses with very good results. Lube Cases